10-hr Dead Fuel Moisture

The 10-hr Dead Fuel Moisture map displays the % moisture content on a dry-weight basis of 10-hour dead fuels as calculated by a calibrated version of the Nelson dead fuel moisture model. Calculated values can range from 1% to 60%.
Ten-hour fuels are the smaller diameter dead fuels in the 0.25" to 1" diameter range. They also respond quickly to changing weather conditions, but not as quickly as do 1-hour fuels. These fuels include roundwood and the layer of litter on forest floors extending, roughly, from 0.25" below the surface to 1" deep.
For prescribed fire, the preferred range of 10-hour dead fuel moisture is from 7 to 20%. Below 7%, spot fires become a problem and above 20% there will be problems in maintaining the fire due to too much moisture in the 10-hour fuels. To understand the influence of 10-hour dead fuel moisture on prescribed burning and wildfire, consult OK-FIRE Basics for Prescribed Burning and OK-FIRE Basics for Fire Danger.